Why is the Prime Minister of India Silent on Kashmir?

In the last couple of months, the state of Jammu & Kashmir has seen mass protests and a heavy-handed response from the Government of India. Newsclick spoke to CPI(M) MLA from Kulgam, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami on the boiling unrest in the state. Com. Tarigami categorically states that the Jammu & Kashmir problem is a political one and should be treated as so. Removal of AFSPA and demilitarisation are key to any solution to the Kashmir crisis. Govt. of India needs to hold an all party dialogue including not only Pakistan but all stakeholders within the state.

The four-time MLA from Kulgam expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister of India maintains a marked silence not only on the crisis in Kashmir but also on such matters of grave concern as the increasing attacks on Dalits across the country. The CPI(M) legislator stated that the contradictory ideological positions within the BJP-PDP coalition in the state of J&K are also to blame for the failure of the administration in handling the mass protests.

Tarigami observes that the upsurge needs to be seen in context of a longer history of neglect shown by the Indian state towards the people of Kashmir. Government of India, under all previous administrations, has failed to treat Kashmiris like Indians. The youth in the state is suffering with unemployment and lack of development. Com. Tarigami cautioned that if meaningful political dialogue is not taken up as a priority then the situation will worsen.